Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ‘one step away’ from signing in-demand defender on a free transfer
Real Madrid are one step away from signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudger on a free transfer, claims a report from English media outlet Sky Sports.
Rudiger, whose current Chelsea deal expires at the end of the season, is being monitored by some of the top European clubs, which potentially include Real’s La Liga rivals Barcelona as well as the Premier League giants Manchester United.
As for Real, they have been chasing the German for months but were forced to put off due to his exceeding salary demands. As things stand though, his agent has accepted to lower the number, and the new figures are very much within the team’s reach.
It is believed that Carlo Ancelotti admires Rudiger a lot. The manager, in fact, had a meeting with Florentino Perez last Friday to present where exactly the team needed reinforcements.
And one of the players, in that regard, he pointed out, was Antonio Rudiger. That because the defender is certain to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, meaning that the only fee Madrid will have to pay is the general operational costs, including the agent’s fee, and his salary.
The manager believes Rudiger’s arrival will ease Madrid’s defence to a great extent. Through this, he will be able to move David Alaba to the left-back spot so that he can act as a cover for the injury-prone Ferland Mendy and Marcelo.
At the same time, however, Real are aware of the interest he has generated through his situation at Chelsea. While the Blues are already pushing for him to sign a new deal, there is also interest from the likes of PSG and Juventus, which could rightly hinder Madrid’s pursuit.
But as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio, the only reason why the player accepted to lower his salary was due to Real’s interest. If it was only for the wages, Manchester United made the biggest offer while PSG & Juventus were in line too.
The three teams, however, fell short of agreeing on a deal.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
